There are numerous ways that men can become allies in the fight against sexual and domestic violence.

• Take a look at your own life and (if you are a man), how your male privilege affects you - both positively and negatively. (For some help in this, see an abbreviated version of Peggy McIntosh's article, "Unpacking the White Knapsack".). Teach your children, or mentor the children of others, how to manage conflict without violence, to respect others, about healthy sexuality, and the meaning of consent.
• Genuine consent requires the following conditions:
• Both parties are fully conscious and unimpaired through alcohol and/or drug use.
• All parties may stop the activity without fear of humiliation, anger, retaliation and/or drug use.
• All intentions have been communicated clearly beforehand (if a man asks when he is lying on top of his partner, she cannot fully consent because she is already physically restrained).
• The initiator of the sexual activity has received a verbal, enthusiastic "yes."
• Participate in your local chapter of the White Ribbon Campaign, a group of men working to educate other men about violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign was started by men in Canada after Mark Lepine shot down 14 women classmates in his engineering school.
• If you are UVA student, join a peer education group, such as SAFE or One in Four. Both of these organizations are part of the Sexual Assault Leadership Council.
• If you are a member of UVa's faculty or staff, become familiar with the resources on and off grounds for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Invite the Sexual Assault Education Coordinator to a departmental meeting to discuss strategies for dealing with students and colleagues having these problems.
• If you are a member of the Charlottesville/Albemarle community, help our local sexual assault and domestic violence crisis agencies: SARA and SHE. Volunteer to work the hotlines, take a shelter shift, work with the children, join the board. They need our support!
• The following documents were developed by Men Can Stop Rape, Inc. in Washington, D.C., and are free for downloading and copying. Click here to see the most recent versions of their information in English and Spanish

If you are looking for men's organizations that do this work, Men Can Stop Rape has a site that lists national organizations. Visit them at: http://www.mencanstoprape.org.